ABSTRACT
Objective To evaluate the potential risk of schistosomiasis transmission in the area along the Yangtze River in Yangzhou City,so as to provide evidences for establishing a post?transmission surveillance system for schistosomiasis in marsh?land regions. Methods The water infectivity,floating boatmen and fishermen infection,reservoir host infection and wild feces contamination were investigated in five districts/counties along the Yangtze River in Yangzhou City,including Guangling,Hanji?ang,Jiangdu,Yizheng and Development Zone,and the transmission factors and risky characteristics were assessed after inter?ruption of schistosomiasis transmission in marshland regions. Results A total of 15 key water regions were identified in the area along the Yangtze River in Yangzhou City in 2015. A total of 1 500 sentinel mice were placed,after breeding,their overall sur?vival rate was 99.33%;1 490 were dissected,with no schistosome infection. Of the 5 576 floating boatmen and fishermen exam?ined,no schistosome infection was observed,and among the 3 566 domestic animals(including 171 cattle,1 895 sheep and 1 500 pigs),no infections were detected. During the period between January and March,2016,there were 3 200 mouse traps placed on 8 marshlands,and 62 wild mice were captured from 6 marshlands,with a capture rate of 1.94%,and no schistosome?infected wild mice were seen. In addition,there were 35 pieces of fresh wild feces captured from 7 marshlands,including 11 pieces of bovine feces(31.43%),17 pieces of sheep feces(48.57%),2 pieces of dog feces(5.71%)and 5 pieces of other feces (14.29%),and no infections were detected. Conclusions There is a low risk of schistosomiasis transmission in the area along the Yangtze River in Yangzhou City. However,the contamination of feces from bovine and sheep that are freely pastured on marshlands is a big threat to schistosomiasis control.